BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - …

BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

10 YEAR EDUCATION PLAN

UPDATED AUGUST 11th, 2009 1

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION

We in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas wish to and deserve to live in a land where the quality of life experienced is comparable to developed countries. We need to build a society where people are appropriately educated and socialized leading to the creation of a safe and prosperous country. Therefore, it is clear to us in the Ministry of Education that the delivery of quality education, which is relevant to the current and future needs of its people, is essential to individual empowerment and national development.

If the Bahamian education system is to provide an improved quality of life for all, it will require all persons to demonstrate that they are competent, productive and honest workers; individuals who think critically; are responsible, respectful and caring; and consider the needs of others and the environment.

Many in the past have worked arduously in the field of education and their efforts have not been in vain. While we wish to thank them for the many successes, the Ministry of Education is well aware that we must improve upon these past achievements. If education is to provide the kind of support twenty-first century development in The Bahamas needs, then we must focus our attention on targets and standards relevant to curriculum content and pedagogy, teacher training, resource development, management of our schools and indeed the education system. This focused attention mandates deliberate, rational planning and a sustained investment in our human, material and physical resources.

This Ten Year Education Plan provides the blueprint for each transformation. The goals and objectives contained herein reflect the Ministry of Education's course of action over the short and long term. To date, suggestions for change have come from some twenty-two Focus Groups representing various stakeholders and we are grateful for their input. We are open to receiving additional suggestions from others who have a vested interest in the educational advancement of our nation, and efforts will be made to involve more of our Family Islanders. Guided by performance indicators, we hold ourselves accountable to the Plan and ultimately to the people of The Bahamas.

I wish to thank everyone who worked diligently to compile and disseminate this Ten Year Education Plan. I also encourage all sectors of the society to commit to its implementation. In working together, we can bring life to this plan leading to the creation of an education system which produces citizens who are well equipped to contribute to the future growth and development of The Bahamas.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from The Minister of Education

i.

Table of Contents

ii.

Acknowledgements

iv.

Development of The Plan

v.

How to Use This Document

vi.

Education In The Bahamas: From Slate To Interactive Whiteboard

1

Profile of The 21st Century Bahamian

4

Vision & Mission of The Ministry of Education

5

Goal 1: Developing National Curricula that Are More Relevant to 8

the Needs of the Individual and Society

Goal 2: Developing National Pride, Civic Responsibility and a

11

Strong Work Ethic in Students

Goal 3: Ensuring that Children Leave Primary School with the

13

Required Literacy and Numeracy Skills

Goal 4: Meeting the Needs of Special Students

15

Goal 5: : Furnishing Schools with the Necessary Teaching

17

Resources and Tuition Supplies

Goal 6: Offering Additional Support To Enhance the Quality of 19

the Teaching/Learning Process

Goal 7: Encouraging Persons To Pursue Education After Leaving 21

School

Goal 8: Increasing the Number of Bahamian Residents Pursuing 23

Post Secondary and Tertiary Education

Goal 9: Improving the Quality of Education at the Tertiary Level 25

Goal 10: Producing a More Skilled Workforce for the Bahamian 27

Economy

Goal 11: Improving Student Achievement and School 29

Performance

Goal 12: Attracting, Supporting and Retaining Quality Teachers 32

and Other Educational Professionals

Goal 13: Constructing and Properly Maintaining School

35

Buildings and Education Facilities

Goal 14: Ensuring the Adequate Funding of Education

37

Goal 15: Improving the Management of the Bahamian Education 40

System

Goal 16: Improving the On-Site Management of Public Schools 42

Goal 17: Reducing School Violence and Creating Safe Learning 45

Environments

Goal 18: Improving Operations at the Ministry of Education's

47

Central Office

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Goal 19: Encouraging the Use of Educational Research To

49

Improve the Education System

Goal 20: Monitoring and Evaluating the Education System

51

Goal 21: Strengthening Partnerships To Improve the Educational 53

System

Goal 22: Creating Additional Opportunities To Encourage Parents 55

To Become More Involved in Their Children's Education

Glossary of Terms

57

List of Focus Groups

62

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Ministry of Education wishes to thank the members of the 10 Year Education Plan Committee for their hard work in leading the process of producing this document. Committee members include:

Sharon Poitier, Senior Education Officer (Secondary Social Studies) ? Chair Verona Seymour, Assistant Director of Education (Humanities) Marcellus Taylor, Director of Educational Planning Haldane Chase, Consultant (International Relations) Ezekiel Stubbs, Senior Education Office (Planning and Research) Clarence Clare, First Assistant Secretary (Administration) Sharmaine Sinclair, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Janelle Albury, Information Officer (SPTET)

The committee was greatly assisted by several persons who provided a variety of services which were essential to completing this mammoth task. Therefore special thanks are offered to:

Maria Seymour ? alternate committee member and editorial services Brenda Bain ? alternate committee member Louise Barry ? alternate committee member Joyce Thompson ? writing Sharon Bain ? secretarial and other ancillary services

The Ministry of Education would like to extend its gratitude to all the Focus Groups who so generously presented their views, ideas and recommendations pertaining to the improvement of the educational system of The Bahamas (See listing at the end of this document). Your commitment to education and knowledge of the challenges facing the education system are both greatly appreciated and have provided invaluable insight.

Your differing experiences, perspectives, skills, and talents have truly enriched the Plan and the process. Your contribution will play a significant role in improving the quality of education throughout The Bahamas. Thank you for your willingness to participate in creating a document which will become a landmark educational initiative.

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